Given the significant lack of rain over the last five years and the severe detrimental impact on water resources across Morocco, King Mohammed VI chaired a working session on Tuesday at the Royal Palace in Rabat to address Morocco’s water insecurity.
Royal Advisor Fouad Ali El Himma, Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit, Minister of Water and Equipment Nizar Baraka, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests Mohamed Sadiki, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa, and Director-General of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water Abderrahim El Hafidi attended the meeting.
During the session, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka highlighted a 70% rainfall deficit compared to the average from September to mid-January 2024, and a lower dam fill rate at 23.2% compared to 31.5% during the same period last year.
Morocco’s national program for drinking water supply and irrigation during 2020-2027 has helped several provinces and regions in recent years. The interconnection of the Sebou and Bouregreg river basins and the commissioning of desalination plants in Agadir and Safi/Jorf Lasfar, in particular, have significantly contributed to maintaining an adequate water supply.
However, in response to the current situation, the Minister presented an emergency action plan to the King, aimed at ensuring the supply of drinking water, especially in areas now facing or at risk of facing water shortages.
In the short term, the plan encompasses the optimal mobilization of resources from dams, wells, and existing desalination plants. It also includes the implementation of urgent water supply infrastructure and, where necessary, potential measures to restrict irrigation water or distribution flow.
Efforts will also be accelerated on planned projects with medium-term impacts, such as ongoing dam constructions, interconnections between the Sebou, Bouregreg, and Oum Rabia river basins, the national program for seawater desalination plants, the reuse of purified wastewater, and water conservation programs for use with drinking water and irrigation networks.
The King urged the relevant departments and organizations to enhance vigilance and effort to address the water security challenge and ensure drinking water supply across all localities of the Kingdom.
The Monarch also called upon the government to establish transparent and regular communication with citizens regarding the evolving water situation and the emergency measures to be implemented. He emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about water conservation and combating all forms of wasteful or irresponsible water usage.